The legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, and the vision of our founder Dr. N. Joyce Payne, is not only measured by the number of years we have been in existence, but by the quality of our service to public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Our service enables students to receive an affordable education and become exposed to the best professional development opportunities. We are excited to present our students, member-schools, supporters, and sponsors with several new initiatives that will ensure that 2013 is an even better year than 2012. In 2013, our commitment to serving is even more vigorous than ever before.

The New Jersey Awards of Excellence (AOE) was the first of many annual events that have since taken place in different regions of the country to increase awareness of TMCF's mission and to raise funds to help support the students attending TMCF's 47 member-school network. Held at the fabulous Nanina's in the Park, it is one of the most talked about fundraising events in Newark, NJ and the surrounding communities. This year's event hosted 250 attendees. The distinguished honorees were among various backgrounds, but they have all exemplified throughout their careers the service, leadership and achievement that represents the legacy of the late Justice Thurgood Marshall. This event raised over $150,000 to support TMCF initiatives. READ MORE

TMCF BROUGHT EDUCATORS FROM HBCUs TO NEW ORLEANS TODISCUSS THE INCREASING NEED OF STEAM OPPORTUNITIES

This year's annual Member-Universities Professional Institute (MUPI) focused on improving retention, graduation and career readiness in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics (STEAM). For three days, TMCF brought together nearly 200 key decision makers from its member-schools who can affect real change on their campuses and strengthen the pipeline of STEAM graduates.

The NHL and TMCF partnered on a four-year academic scholarship for participants of the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone™ (HIFE) initiative, the League's official youth development program. The scholarship will launch later this year and will provide opportunities for qualified HIFE participants to attend any of the country's 47 public Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Hockey is for Everyone™ (HIFE) is the National Hockey League's official youth development program. HIFE provides support and unique programing to non-profit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey. The HIFE initiative leverages the sport of hockey as a catalyst to help children learn essential life skills, as well as the core values of hockey: commitment, perseverance, and teamwork.

Each year, TMCF works with companies and agencies across the country to provide internship opportunities for our member-school students. This is also true in our own D.C. Headquarters. Three students that attend nearby member-school Howard University and one from University of the District of Columbia have joined the team as interns in the Finance, Operations and Marketing Divisions for the Spring semester. These four students are true examples of the caliber of students that TMCF member-schools produce!

MEET THE INTERNS

TMCF RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HUMPTY DUMPTY INSTITUTE

ON INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES

TMCF renewed its partnership with Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) with a major focus on the organization's Higher Education Alliance (HEA). The HEA was created in response to the growing need to globalize college campuses around the nation. This program gives academic institutions a window to the world, a bridge to the United Nations and a comprehensive range of services, resources and opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience working in global affairs. In conjunction with the TMCF, HDI is enlisting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) into the HEA program. READ MORE

TMCF GOES TO TAIWAN

In March, TMCF President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Founder Dr. N. Joyce Payne, and a delegation of member-school officials visited Taiwan on a fact-finding mission to explore global partnership opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM). In keeping with the Department of Defense Air Force Office of Scientific Research's mission, TMCF conducted Phase II of this fact-finding initiative, which focused on using intelligence to create programs and approaches to teaching and learning that will result in measurable change in the quality and quantity of students completing academic programs in STEAM. The delegation and members of the Taiwanese education community discussed initial partnerships designed around bilateral faculty exchanges, bilateral student exchanges, jointly sponsored international research projects, and bilateral placement of students in local public/private internships among a select group of TMCF member-schools and several world-class institutions in Taiwan. READ MORE

MICROSOFT CONTINUES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HBCUs WITH

$8 MILLION TECHNOLOGY GRANT

TMCF received an $8 million software grant from Microsoft to help support TMCF-member schools and students. Over the past nine years, Microsoft has provided TMCF and member-schools with $29 million in software. This most recent grant brings the total to $37 million. The new $8 million software grant will allow TMCF to continue its ongoing information technology (IT) initiative to strengthen the IT capacity of its member-schools, broaden the institutions' instructional and communications capabilities, and work to build sustainable learning environments. The Microsoft/TMCF partnership has been and continues to be part of TMCF's long-term Technology Initiative.

FIRST QUARTER FEATURED DONORS

TMCF could not support its members-schools and students without the support of such great partners. This quarter, we would like to show our appreciation to the following donors.

CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY INSTALLS FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT

Central State University President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond was officially installed on March 7, 2013 as the eighth person and the first woman to lead this HBCU in its 126 years of existence.

Jackson-Hammond, who has held the university's top office since last year, was presented the presidential medallion during a ceremony which drew about 850 students, staff, faculty, alumni and other supporters. Her ceremony was timed to correspond with the university's Charter Day celebration. READ MORE

TMCF INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

USDA SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE

The TMCF Internship Program is an integral part of our member-school students' education. Internships help to bridge the gap between the academic world and the working world for which the students are preparing. 2013 internship opportunities are with the U.S. Department of Defense - Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Due to an abundance of applicants, the internship for the AFRL and the CDC are now closed. THERE IS STILL AN OPENING for the 2013 USDA Summer Internship. The application deadline is April 22, 2013 at 1:00pm EST.

TMCF provides merit-based scholarships to students seeking financial assistance to complete their education. TMCF scholarships are awarded annually to students meeting the TMCF eligibility criteria. Awards are bestowed each semester and are based on a verification process designed to ensure that academic expectations are being met and that there is an unmet financial need.

TMCF's Talent Acquisition Team is currently visiting member-schools to interview students to be a part of one of the nation's premier HBCU conferences!

For the past twelve years, this four-day conference has granted talented future leaders a unique professional development experience. A carefully selected group of students are brought together with some of the nation's top executives for leadership training, career management, life skills, development and recruitment opportunities. One of the main components of the Leadership Institute is the Recruitment Fair, where students meet with over 60 companies and government agencies offering job and internship opportunities.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund has formed unique partnerships with organizations and companies that are interested in helping us develop tomorrow's leaders. Please join TMCF in showing our thanks to these dedicated groups!